Occurrence of 2-phenylphenol in food paper packages

Twenty three paper based packaging materials commercially used for food packaging in the Czech Republic were analysed with regard to 2-phenylphenol (OPP) content using HPLC technique with fluorimetric detection. The HPLC method was modified with the aim to increase its sensitivity. OPP was detected in quantities ranging from 10 mg kg−1 to 527 mg kg−1 in twenty tested samples. The level of OPP in packaging materials was in close correlation to the content of recycled pulp in used paper material. The migration of OPP from two packaging materials comprised of paperboard coated with low density polyethylene (LDPE) into food simulants was determined at 40°C for 10 days. The levels of migration into 3% acetic acid, 10% ethanol and olive oil were below the limit of detection of used analytical procedure. In the case of 95% ethanol, 13% and 21% of OPP present in tested samples were transferred into simulant. The found occurrence of OPP in paper packages does not pose any significant safety risk for food consumer, but OPP could be considered as wide spread contaminant in paper materials.

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